When you think of Indiana, tunnels aren’t exactly what comes to mind. The terrain here doesn’t call for cutting through mountains, and many Hoosiers drive around the state without ever experiencing one at all. However, Indiana does have a decent number of them, including the unique Big Tunnel in Tunnelton. This is one of the creepiest places in Indiana, so let’s check out why:

Tunnelton is actually a small community named in honor of several railroad tunnels that cut throughout Indiana.
w.marsh/Flickr
It was established in 1859 and resides within Lawrence County, Indiana. The unique tunnel here, the Big Tunnel, or Tunnelton Tunnel, has some pretty creepy stories surrounding it.
That’s right, it's allegedly haunted (because of course it is).
Interesting Ted/Youtube
Stories range from person to person, but almost every tale about this tunnel talks about a man who was beheaded during the construction of the old structure. This man now haunts the Tunnel, and has been seen by many visitors. Most claim he carries a lantern in one hand and his head in the other.
Others stories abound. On the hill above it, for instance, sits a former cemetery.
w.marsh/Flickr
Rumors tell that when construction workers began cutting into the Tunnel, caskets fell through. Other tales of murder and disappearances are whispered about this eerie place.
One story that locals may not know, or even remember, is the murder of Henry Dixon.
Interesting Ted/Youtube
Allegedly, Dixon was murdered and his body was brought here to be destroyed when the next train came through. Locals claim his ghost also haunts the tunnel, seeking justice.
Check out the below video from the late 70s to find out more about this unique and often overlooked tunnel in Indiana!
Interesting Ted/Youtube

Want to learn more about haunted Indiana? Check out this haunted road trip in Indiana that takes you to some of the state’s top haunted places!

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Big Tunnel

Tori Jane | October 09, 2022

How many bridges and tunnels in Indiana are there?  

There aren’t many tunnels left in Indiana – only one or two – but when it comes to bridges in Indiana, the number is significantly more absurd. We hope you’re sitting down for this: there are more than 18,900 bridges in Indiana, many of which are still in use today. If you’re interested in IN bridges, you might want to visit Parke County, which is quite literally known as the “covered bridge capital” of the world! There’s also a covered bridge festival, but we’ll talk more about that in a moment.  

Where is Tunnelton Indiana?  

Tunnelton is an “unofficial” small town in Indiana located in Guthrie Township, which is found in Lawrence County. It was platted back in 1859 and, before that, the land had been platted by Tunnelton United Methodist Church in 1816. Needless to say, this little place goes way back, though nowadays it’s mostly famous for being the location of one of the most haunted places in Indiana.  

Which small towns in Indiana are the best for people interested in bridges?  

It seems like almost every small town in Indiana is gonna have a bridge or two (or fifty, what with there being 18.9k bridges all over the place). One of our favorite bridge towns in Indiana is Bean Blossom, an adorable little township with plenty to do, see, and experience – plus, a beautiful covered bridge. As we mentioned above, Parke County is the covered bridge capital of the world, with more than 30 bridges scattered all over. Towns like Rockville, Indiana hold the annual Covered Bridge Festival, and towns like Mansfield are delightful locations for day trips in Indiana. We’ve also gone and created some delightful covered bridges road trips in Indiana, and you can’t miss a day spent at Brown County State Park while you’re at it.  

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